The upcoming Mauricio Lara vs. Edwing Dávila fight isn’t just another bout—it’s a career-defining moment for Lara. After suffering a brutal defeat to Leigh Wood, the Mexican power puncher is stepping back into the ring with everything to prove. But let’s be honest, this fight could be a lose-lose situation for Lara unless he delivers a statement performance.
Winning isn’t enough. He needs a knockout.
A points victory, unless it’s an absolute war, won’t do much to convince fans that he’s truly back. If Lara wants another shot at the featherweight elite, he has to show that the weaknesses Wood exposed have been fixed—and the best way to do that? A brutal, early stoppage.
Mauricio Lara – At a Crossroads
Mauricio ‘Bronco’ Lara (26-3-1, 19 KOs) is one of the most exciting fighters in boxing when he’s at his best. The man came out of nowhere in 2021 and shook up the division by obliterating Josh Warrington in a shocking upset. That night, he wasn’t just another Mexican brawler—he was a serious featherweight threat.
But since then? It’s been a mixed bag.
- His rematch with Warrington ended in a disappointing technical draw due to a cut.
- He rebounded with a couple of highlight-reel knockouts.
- He won the WBA featherweight title against Leigh Wood—only to lose the rematch in brutal fashion just months later.
Now, he’s at a crossroads. Is he a real contender? Or just an entertaining brawler who fell short at the top level?
For Lara’s full fight history, check out BoxRec.
Who is Edwing Dávila?
Casual fans might not know much about Edwing Dávila (22-4, 13 KOs), but he’s not stepping into this fight just to make up the numbers. The Colombian fighter has built a solid record, fighting mainly in his home country, and he’s coming into this fight with a puncher’s chance.
That being said, Dávila hasn’t faced anyone close to Lara’s level. His biggest fights have come against regional opponents, and while he’s shown he can crack, his record suggests he’s not an elite-level threat.
For a deep dive into his previous fights, check out Boxing Scene.
Why Lara Needs to Win in Convincing Fashion
Look, let’s be real here—Mauricio Lara should win this fight. Anything less than a dominant performance will raise more questions than answers.
If he knocks out Dávila early, it sends a message to the featherweight division:
- The Leigh Wood loss was a blip.
- He’s still got the power and aggression to dominate.
- He deserves another shot at the big names.
But if he wins a dull, uninspiring points decision, the reaction will be completely different. Most fans will say:
- “Well, he was supposed to win anyway.”
- “He didn’t look that great.”
- “Would Warrington or Wood even be worried about him now?”
That’s the danger of this fight. Lara isn’t just fighting Dávila—he’s fighting to prove he’s still elite.
If you want expert analysis on where Lara stands in the featherweight division, The Ring Magazine has plenty of insight.
Keys to Victory for Lara
If Mauricio Lara wants to get his career back on track, he needs to stick to his strengths while fixing the flaws that cost him against Leigh Wood.
- Start Fast, End Fast – Lara can’t afford to take his time. He needs to overwhelm Dávila early and get the stoppage before the halfway mark.
- Defensive Improvements – His power is undeniable, but his lack of defence was brutally exposed by Leigh Wood. He needs to show better head movement and footwork, even in an easy fight like this.
- Body Work is Key – Dávila has been hurt to the body before, and Lara’s vicious left hook downstairs could be his golden ticket to an early stoppage.
What Happens If Lara Wins?
If Lara gets the knockout win he desperately needs, it could put him back in line for a big-name fight. Possible future opponents include:
- Josh Warrington III – The trilogy fight makes sense, and Warrington would love to finally get revenge.
- Leigh Wood III – A rubber match could be on the cards, but only if Lara looks spectacular here.
- Luis Alberto Lopez – The IBF champion is another aggressive Mexican fighter who could make for an all-out war.
But again—a sluggish, uninspiring win won’t do much for him.
Check out World Boxing News for the latest rankings and potential next steps for Lara.
Prediction – Does Lara Deliver the Knockout?
So, how does this fight play out?
- If Lara fights smart and aggressive, he should end this inside four rounds.
- If Dávila survives the early rounds, things could get tricky, but Lara still should have enough power to win inside the distance.
- If it goes to the scorecards, it’s a bad sign for Lara’s long-term prospects.
Unless Lara shows something special, this fight won’t do much for his stock. He needs to put on a boxing clinic—or even better, get a highlight-reel knockout.
What do you think? Will we see a dominant Lara, or could this fight expose even more cracks in his game?
Join the Debate!
Let’s hear your thoughts! Drop your fight predictions in the comments—will Lara get the KO, or could Dávila pull off the upset?
And if you want more fight previews, predictions, and the latest boxing news, head over to CMBoxing.co.uk for all the action.
Don’t just read—get involved! Share this post with your fellow boxing fans and let’s keep the conversation going!